Bill allowing wine sales in grocery stores killed in committee - Action News 5 - Memphis, Tennessee

Bill allowing wine sales in grocery stores killed in committee

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MEMPHIS, TN -

(WMC-TV) - The Tennessee House committee killed a bill Tuesday that would have loosened restrictions on selling wine in supermarkets.

Roy Patterson and his employees at Kimbrough Wine and Spirits are pleased that the bill aimed at possibly allowing wine to be sold in supermarkets appears to be dead for at least another year.

It failed by a single vote in a House committee after members of the panel refused to grant the bill's sponsor a delay to negotiate a final version.

If passed, the legislation would have allowed local referendums on the issue.

"This has been going on for 10 years I'd say and they can't seem to get it together, so I'm hoping this will be it for a while," said Marina Pakis, Kimbrough Wine and Spirits.

Liquor store owners and employees fear larger retailers would not hire extra people or experts if wine began selling in grocery stores.

Supporters say it is only a matter of time before wine is sold in grocery stores.

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